Fla. police catch poachers with faux deer

One hunter was charged with taking deer during closed season, discharging a firearm from a roadway and taking deer from a right-of-way

By Jessica De Leon
Bradenton Herald

MANATEE, Fla. — A deer rested on the side of the road. Waiting, apparently. Just waiting and hoping a hunter would come along, forget the rules, aim and shoot.

The Myakka City man was fooled by a faux deer during a recent Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission operation targeting road-hunting activity. He now faces serious charges.

Brett Russel Thompson was arrested at 8:30 a.m. Saturday after shooting the robotic Bambi in the neck from the side of a rural road south of Myakka City, according to an arrest report. Thompson is charged with taking deer during closed season, discharging a firearm from a roadway and taking deer from a right-of-way. He faces up to a year in jail and $2,500 in fines if convicted.